Degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether by nano zero-valent iron immobilized in mesoporous silica microspheres

► Reactive mesoporous silica spheres (SiO2@FeOOH@Fe) was synthesized. ► SiO2@FeOOH@Fe presented a great capability of removing BDE209. ► The importance of hydrogen ion in removing BDE209 by SiO2@FeOOH@Fe has been proved. ► SiO2@FeOOH@Fe was agglomeration-resisting and good performances in magnetic separation.